TOP sports stars’ representatives are in talks with Glasgow 2014 as the organisation bids to ensure they will participate in the next Commonwealth Games.

A number of leading competitors – including Usain Bolt, Chris Hoy and Jessica Ennis – opted out of Delhi 2010, raising fears the Games were no longer regarded as a top-tier event.

But with tough ticketing targets to achieve, Glasgow is stepping up moves to secure the participation of major names and regain the event’s status as a world class competition.

Glasgow 2014 chief David Grevemberg said: “We’ve spoken to agents, some Commonwealth associations and some international federations. The athlete attraction programme is an important part of our engagement.

“But coming out of the Olympics in London we were delighted with the unprompted response from Mo Farah, Jess Ennis, Bradley Wiggins, Oscar Pistorius and Usain Bolt, all saying ‘that’s a medal I want’.

“We’re creating the stage, the ethos and the brand about what it means to be a Commonwealth athlete. We feel it will make a compelling case that says, ‘We have to be there in 2014’.”

And Glasgow will be boosted by a tax exemption offered to Commonwealth competitors that could persuade Bolt to reverse his policy of not competing in British Diamond League meetings due to the financial implications.